It’s quite a story, and one of the most vivid tales comes from Ginzberg's _Legends of the Jews_.
Imagine this: Abraham, still a young man, is surrounded by idols. These aren't just little figurines, but the gods of his father Terah, who, in this version of the story, is an idol maker himself. Abraham, though, has a different idea about divinity. He's not buying into this whole polytheistic thing.
So, what does he do? He grabs a hatchet.
The scene unfolds with dramatic irony. Abraham systematically destroys the idols. Smash! Crash! One by one, these stone figures are reduced to rubble. But here’s the twist: after his act of iconoclasm, he places the hatchet in the hand of the largest idol.
Why? You'll see.
Terah, hearing the commotion, rushes into the room. He’s furious. “What is this mischief thou hast done to my gods?” he demands.
And here comes Abraham's audacious reply. He doesn't confess. Instead, he spins a tale.
"I set savory meat before them," Abraham explains, straight-faced. "And when I came nigh unto them, that they might eat, they all stretched out their hands to take of the meat, before the big one had put forth his hand to eat. This one, enraged against them on account of their behavior, took the hatchet and broke them all, and, behold, the hatchet is yet in his hands, as thou mayest see."
Can you picture Terah's face? The audacity! The sheer chutzpah! Abraham is essentially saying, "Don't blame me, Dad. Your gods are fighting amongst themselves!"
Of course, Terah isn't fooled. It's a ridiculous explanation, but it serves a purpose. It highlights the absurdity of idol worship. How can these inanimate objects, supposedly gods, be so petty, so…human?
This story, found in _Legends of the Jews_, isn't just a funny anecdote. It's a powerful statement about the nature of belief, about questioning tradition, and about the courage to stand up for what you believe in, even against your own family. Abraham's act, as depicted here, is a pivotal moment – a turning point that sets him on the path to becoming the Abraham we know: the one who challenged the status quo and ultimately changed the course of history.
What does this story tell us about how to confront outdated ideas or systems today? How can we learn from Abraham's blend of courage and wit?